Latest news with #McAleese
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
‘Bog-standard patriarchal': McAleese says new Pope's first 100 days ‘anything but forward thinking'
MARY MCALEESE HAS strongly criticised Pope Leo XIV's first 100 days, saying his pontificate has been cautious, conservative, and 'anything but forward thinking.' In an article published in the UK's Catholic Tablet magazine last week, the former Irish president argued that Pope Leo has largely abandoned the more reform-minded elements of his predecessor Francis' papacy, reverting instead to conservative and patriarchal norms. 'Almost entirely gone already are the early signs of Francis' modesty – the plain dress, simple accommodation, and rejection of the summer residence at Castel Gandolfo,' she said. McAleese was particularly critical of Pope Leo's record on women and LGBTQ+ Catholics. She described him as a 'bog-standard patriarchal, patronising and prone to tokenism,' noting that he has inherited a theology of male-only priesthood and shows no inclination to challenge it. His stance on LGBTQ+ Catholics has faced previous criticisim – during his tenure as a bishop in Peru, Pope Leo opposed government plans to include gender teachings in schools and criticised discussions of sexual orientation with children as 'confusing.' In 2012, he expressed concern that Western culture promotes 'enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel,' specifically referencing abortion, the 'homosexual lifestyle,' and same-sex families. His stance on the Vatican's 2023 document Fiducia Supplicans, a Vatican guideline which permits nonliturgical blessings for same-sex couples, remains ambiguous, leaving interpretation to national bishops. Pope Leo's recent comments on marriage and abortion, McAleese said, could have been made by Benedict, John Paul II, Paul VI or Pius XI. Advertisement Pope Leo has also attempted to court MAGA supporters in the US, McAleese claimed, seeking financial support for the Church while simultaneously contesting aspects of the political movement's thinking. McAleese warned that this balancing act risks compromising reform, particularly on equality, human rights, and Church teaching on sexuality. She highlighted the appointment of Rev Thomas Hennen as Bishop of Baker, Oregon, a figure linked to Courage International, an organisation operating within Church teaching that regards homosexuality as 'intrinsically disordered.' 'This appointment and its accompanying spin is a worrying straw in the wind,' she wrote. While acknowledging that Pope Leo has continued Francis' advocacy for migrants, the poor, and care for the environment, McAleese said that his approach is advocacy 'with the volume turned down'. 'We appear to have pivoted dramatically from a sometimes narky showman to a shy, genial man, from an impulsive pope to a measured pope, from a Latin American pope to an American pope,' she said. McAleese also questioned whether this gentleness masks a reluctance to take on the entrenched, male-dominated structures of the Church. She pointed out that the Synod on Synodality, though promising at local levels, failed to deliver meaningful reform centrally, leaving Pope Leo at a critical crossroads. The Synod on Synodality is the Church's worldwide 'listening exercise,' meant to gather input from clergy and laypeople to shape reforms and church policy. 'Will he have the courage and faith to be an agent of change, or are we already looking at another filibuster pope – a very different personality from Francis but the same failure to embrace real change?' McAleese said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why these actors and ‘SmartLess' podcast hosts want to help you pay less for cell service
The latest celebrity start-up trend is no longer tequila. It's telecom. Actors Sean Hayes, Will Arnett and Jason Bateman — who host the popular 'SmartLess' podcast — are launching a wireless service as an alternative to pricier unlimited data plans from major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T. The decision to start the company, called SmartLess Mobile, came from a simple realization: while industry giants generally push unlimited plans, most people don't actually use that much data. Even if they're glued to their phones. 'Most Americans spend almost 90% of their time under Wi-Fi. Their mobile device very seldom actually uses the actual wireless network,' said SmartLess CEO Paul McAleese, a telecom industry veteran who co-founded the company with the actors. Research published last year by the consultancy group OpenSignal found that most mobile customers spend between 77% and 88% of their on-screen time connected to a Wi-Fi network. SmartLess Mobile offers wireless plans starting at $15 per month for 5 gigabytes of high-speed data, going up to $30 monthly for 30 gigabytes. By contrast, starter unlimited plans from the major carriers range from around $35 to $65 per month. McAleese said he and Arnett started discussing the idea after the actor bought a new phone for his teenage son and was sold an unlimited plan that cost around $70 monthly. (Arnett previously served as a spokesperson for Canadian telecom giant Shaw Communications; McAleese is the company's former president.) 'And (Arnett) goes, 'Geez, it's awfully expensive,'' McAleese said in an interview with CNN. 'And I said, 'Your boy spends almost his entire life under Wi-Fi. He's at home, he's at school … he's never going to be on the network. Why would you buy all that?'' SmartLess Mobile joins a growing slate of celebrity-backed wireless carriers, including Consumer Cellular, with longtime spokesperson Ted Danson, and Ryan Reynolds' Mint Mobile, which was acquired by T-Mobile in 2023. These providers, known as mobile virtual network operators (or MVNOs), lease access to a major telecom provider's spectrum — SmartLess plans will run on T-Mobile's 5G network — and can often charge lower prices because they don't have to manage the physical infrastructure. The services have gained popularity as cell phone technology has advanced. Most phones now have digital SIM cards, making it easier for consumers to switch carriers without having to visit a retail store. And the proliferation of Wi-Fi infrastructure everywhere from subways to restaurants means many people have lesser data needs. If their partner network goes down, MVNOs do risk being the ones customers blame for losing missing service. And limited data plans aren't necessarily for everyone — ride-share drivers and delivery couriers likely use a lot more data than people who work from home or from an office with a Wi-Fi network. But the primary 'uphill battle for any MVNO is to stand out in the space,' said Jeffrey Moore, principal at wireless industry research firm Wave7, because the industry giants have much more name recognition. Major carriers also entice customers with deals on new phones, which they practically give away for free if consumers join their network. Smaller carriers 'have to stand out either in terms of offerings or in terms of marketing,' Moore said. That's where celebrity endorsements come in. SmartLess already has a significant built-in audience; the podcast ranks among the top 20 most popular shows on Apple Podcasts. And Arnett, Hayes and the SmartLess podcast have more than 2 million combined Instagram followers. 'Whether by luck or by design, they also have a brand name that has both 'smart' and 'less' in the name,' McAleese said, 'which, if you're going to be a challenger brand in this day and age, those are two pretty good head starts.' The team plans to start discussing SmartLess Mobile on the podcast in the coming weeks, he said. And the SmartLess hosts' involvement in the new carrier goes beyond typical celebrity endorsements, McAleese said. Hayes, Arnett and Bateman had already turned down the opportunity to lend their names to other types of products, and they've been involved in everything from financing to marketing the new company. 'They rely on the category for what is now one of their primary professional pursuits, which is the podcast, this is how people consume their product,' McAleese said. 'These guys are master storytellers, and they have the brand ethos of sort of an honest broker. I think it's just a perfect marriage.' Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Belfast Telegraph
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Antrim fans can be secret weapon in Tailteann Cup quest: Dermot McAleese
The Saffrons had shown promise that they might have made an impact in the competition before now but since its inception three years ago the trophy has gone to Westmeath, Meath and Down. Little wonder, then, that Antrim's hunger for silverware has intensified of late given that they have flattered to deceive. Right now, though, McAleese believes that it is time for the Saffrons to rise to the occasion against a London side that is equally keen to create a good impression. While a number of sides are still blooding comparatively new faces in their line-ups, Antrim can lean on a battery of seasoned campaigners with McAleese himself, Patrick McBride, Marc Jordan, Dominic McEnhill, Ruairi McCann, Eunan Walsh, Ryan Murray and Michael Byrne among players who are more than capable of giving a lead. McAleese was disappointed to see his side lose to Armagh in the Ulster Championship but believes they can rise to the challenge this time out. 'I think if we get a good swell of support we can make progress,' maintains McAleese. London, like their hosts, will hope to create an impact and are likely to look to Stephen Dornan, Tighe Barry, Cahir Healy, Daniel Clarke and Aidan McLaughlin in this connection. Fermanagh, too, will be in search of a boost when they face Wexford in the Tailteann Cup at Croke Park (1.45pm) prior to the Dublin v Armagh All-Ireland Group 4 shoot-out. Erne County boss Kieran Donnelly is hopeful that his side can transform some of their recent League form to the Tailteann Cup. Indeed, Fermanagh have shown a sharp appetite for action lately and Fionan O'Brien, Garvan Jones, Ultan Kelm, Declan McCusker and Conor Love can boost the team's chances of victory.
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Antrim ace admits Tailteann Cup draw wasn't kind to them after signs of progress in Ulster Championship
DERMOT McALEESE is sure Antrim have been thrown into a Tailteann Cup group of death. The Saffrons are fresh off a positive Ulster Championship experience, when they They insisted on playing that game at Corrigan Park in Belfast and delivered a performance to be proud of. Throw in their Tailteann Cup semi-final appearances from 2023 and 2024 and you can see why they are being talked about as dark horses. But experienced defender McAleese says their 17-1 odds for title success are partly because of the tough group they are in. Antrim begin their campaign away to 2022 champions Westmeath on Sunday before ties against 2024 quarter-finalists Limerick and London. Read More On GAA McAleese said: 'We can't really look too far ahead, we are third seeds after all. "We have been given a tough draw — Westmeath, London and Limerick. 'We have always had tight games against those sides so we cannot take anything for granted. 'We have got to semi-finals in the last couple of years so we can draw a lot of experience and confidence from that. But the thing is, everyone starts at zero again now.' Most read in GAA Football Antrim have a well-drilled, enthusiastic group under Andy McEntee, with the likes of Marc Jordan, Paddy McBride and McAleese lending vital experience. McAleese said: 'I was only chatting to someone about it recently, we only have three or maybe four guys who are 30-plus. Owen Mulligan teases Lee Keegan over hilarious contrast in how their inter-county GAA careers ended 'There hasn't been a whole lot of chopping and changing or lads leaving the panel so I suppose it is about nurturing that, keeping the group together and hopefully getting back to Division 3 as soon as possible.' The 'Corrigan Park or nowhere' stand taken by the Antrim players on where the Armagh game should be played only pulled the group tighter together. McAleese said: 'We had to go out and back it up then and deliver a performance and we did that, to a certain degree. 'Probably for us, it was about the home game but it was also about highlighting the fact that we don't have a proper county ground and haven't had a proper county ground since the absence of Casement Park.' 1 Alongside Cillian Fahy of Limerick at Tuesday's Tailteann Cup launch at Croke Park
Irish Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Antrim stalwart says Corrigan Park stance proved to be worthwhile
Antrim's 'Corrigan or nowhere' stance helped to galvanise the county, long-serving footballer Dermot McAleese has said. Although ultimately defeat was their lot against All-Ireland champions Armagh in last month's Ulster quarter-final, the Ulster Council bending to the players' refusal to play the tie in Newry was a victory of sorts and shone further spotlight on the ongoing farce around the Casement Park rebuild. 'It probably did create a bit more of a buzz about the county,' said McAleese. 'Probably for us, it was about the home game but it was also about highlighting the fact that we don't have a proper county ground, and haven't had a proper county ground with the absence of Casement. 'And I think Antrim Gaels deserve that, Ulster Gaels deserve that, and it was good to see a swell of support for that. 'I know there was a march on the morning of the game from Casement and there were thousands at it, so it was a good opportunity to highlight that, the fact we need Casement built.' As for the game itself, Antrim performed well and led at half-time before being swamped, but it gives them something to carry into Sunday's Tailteann Cup opener away to Westmeath. 'It was a good performance, we emerged with a lot of credit from that game, really went at them in the first half, our target was to be brave against them and I think we did that. 'We are probably disappointed with how the second half went, I think their strength-in-depth probably told and we aren't playing at that level every week. 'So, they sort of pushed on the second half, but we can take a lot of a lot out of that game, a lot of confidence from it and it's really something to build on for the Tailteann Cup,' McAleese added.
